1956 Helder (Netherlands) - AllCarIndex

In 1955, Nan Helder, a speaker specialist from Rotterdam, set out to create his own small sports car, inspired by the sleek, stylish designs of Italian automobiles but at a fraction of the cost. Unable to afford one, Helder decided to build it himself, using a 1938 DKW F7 as the foundation. He stripped the vehicle down to its two-cylinder engine and central beam, leaving just the essential components. With the help of coachbuilder Jan Bouwhuis and a young welder named Wim Brouwer, Helder spent a year and a half constructing his dream car in a shed at the back of his home.

The result was an impressive and modern aluminum-bodied sports car, complete with a flat bottom and sleek lines, a far cry from the original DKW. In October 1956, after countless hours of hard work, Helder proudly rolled the car out into the street, where local residents admired its craftsmanship. The car, known as the Helder, was a one-of-a-kind creation, bearing the license plate NG-11-36. It garnered praise even from automotive experts, who recognized Helder’s ingenuity and craftsmanship.

Though little is known about how much Helder drove his self-built sports car, in 1961, he offered the vehicle—his labor of love—in exchange for a more modest Citroën 2CV, marking the end of his unique venture into car manufacturing.